Goal Setting | Looking Back and Moving Forward

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, now is the ideal time to review what you were able to accomplish in 2009 and what God has planned for you in your mission in 2010.

Looking Back

So, how was the past year for you? Did you go into 2009 with a list of big, hairy goals that you wanted to accomplish? Here's a list of questions to ask yourself as you review your year:

1. Did you set clearly defined goals for the past year?
2. How many goals did you set for yourself? Too few? Too many?
3. Were you able to accomplish all or most of your goals in 2009? Why or why not?
   
4. Were your goals too big to accomplish in one year?
   
5. Were your goals based on God's Word or selfish desires?
6. Has God revealed to you His purpose or Big Idea for your life?
7. Were your goals based on God's Big Idea for your life?
8. What challenges or opposition did you encounter during the year?
9. If you could have a "do over" on this year, what would you do differently?
10. Can you knock out a couple of the goals on your list before 2009 ends?

Moving Forward

Now that you have perspective on your past or current goals, now it's time to ask yourself some questions as you prepare your goals for next year:

1. What goals from 2009 are still important and relevant that you should carry over into the new year?
2. If the goals you set for this year were way too big, can you break those down into smaller goals or tasks for next year in order to gain some momentum?
3. If you could accomplish 3-4 key goals to move you forward in God's Big Idea for your life, what would they be?
4. Do you need to let go of someone or something in order to move ahead in 2010?
5. Are your 2010 goals in line with God's Word and your mission/purpose statement?
6. Are your goals focused on helping others? Do they add value to others?

If you didn't feel like you were able to make much progress this year in your goals or life mission, take heart! I believe we all go through periods of plateau, decline, then progress once again. The key is to keep asking great questions of yourself, then seek out the right answers to your questions. Keep fighting. Stay in the game. Focus on your mission. Look forward to the day when you will hear:

"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness." (Matthew 25:23, NIV).